WRITERS
Shahrzad Rahbar is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations at the Canadian Gas Association where she leads activities in sustainable development and delivery operations. She obtained her BSc in Mechanical Engineering and her PhD in heat transfer from Queen Mary College. Prior to joining the gas industry in Canada, she held a variety of research and academic positions in England. Shahrzad has over 16 years of leadership experience in the natural gas industry in Canada.
A former officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, he went on to be a military advisor to the Saudi Royal Family, Sunil Ram taught for two decades at American Military University in the Military History Department and the School of Security and Global and Studies. He is currently the Director of Intelligence for private concerns in the UAE and works as an international defense consultant to major private enterprises around the world.
Jon Ramsey is the Chief Technology Officer at Dell SecureWorks in Atlanta, GA and a Dell Fellow. Ramsey has 25 years of hands-on experience at every level system administrator, software engineer, analyst, security penetration specialist and senior engineer. Prior to joining Dell SecureWorks, Ramsey worked for the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), Siemens, and the University of Pittsburgh. Ramsey earned a Master's degree in software engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dave Redman has worked with all orders of government and the private sector to develop emergency management in North America. He worked for Emergency Management Alberta (EMA) for over five years, leading it for two. He served for over 27 years as an officer in the Canadian Army, including on a number of United Nations and NATO operational tours in areas in conflict. He continues to work in the U.S. with Federal and State governments. In Canada he works with federal provincial governments, the private sector and academic institutions.
A graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), Dr Renwick also holds an MSc in Epidemiology from the Department of Population Medicine at the OVC. While at the Health of Animals Laboratory in Guelph, he designed and conducted collaborative epidemiological studies including an investigation of E. coli in humans and dairy cattle. After working for several years in Animal Health Risk Assessment for the federal government, he accepted a position as Chief of Science and Tech at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, later being selected as Director of Animal Health Laboratory Services. Dr. Renwick coordinated the National Avian Influenza Surveillance Network, and was project manager on foreign animal disease diagnostic test development in CFIA where he has been Director of Animal Health Science Foresight and Intelligence and Senior Advisor, Strategic Science Engagements.
Greg Richards is currently MBA Director and Director of the Centre for Business Analytics and Performance at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management where he teaches courses on Organizational Performance Management and Management Consulting. His current research focuses on the use of performance management techniques, the use of information technology in delivering performance information, the role performance information plays in stimulating organizational learning and innovation, and the issue of “cognitive load” related to people’s decision-making processes.
Born in Bristol, England and immigrating to Canada, Barry Risk has enjoyed all the riches that Canada can provide. Over his 35-year career in Customs, he has witnessed many changes to his area of expertise, border protection. He has travelled and worked in many parts of Canada. His career, from field officer to Counter-Terrorism intelligence Officer, began in Toronto and finished off at CBSA headquarters. He has won many awards of excellence and Ministerial awards, and takes particular pride in his medals for Peacekeeper, Peace Officer, and the 125 medal. His recently authored the book "The Thinner Blue Line", published by Burnstown Publishing House, journeys through his 35 years of border protection and the complexities of the Customs Service.
Eustace (Sam) Roberts is President of IAEM-Canada Council after having served as Vice President for two years. He has also been the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Ottawa Police Service since 2017. Prior to that position, he was responsible for the supervision of Forensic officers at the Ottawa Police Service. As Sergeant, he was responsible for processing crime scenes; developing, examining, and identifying fingerprints; photographing scenes, injuries, and exhibits; fingerprinting and photographing accused persons pursuant to the Identification of Criminals Act; presenting expert testimony in court; liaising with all investigative sections; and providing feedback and guidance to patrol and other investigative units at crime scenes.
Inspector Dustine Rodier began her RCMP career in British Columbia and soon moved to the Serious Crimes Unit where, in 2008, where she was promoted to Corporal. Dustine was key in establishing the Special Victims Team and led a team of highly skilled investigators. Moving to New Brunswick, she was assigned to the Federal Policing Unit in Saint John. In 2021, Inspector Rodier was assigned as Executive Officer to the Commanding Officer in H Division, Nova Scotia. Her new assignment has her working on Division-wide initiatives supporting the Force’s mandate across the province.
Pascal Rodier is the Executive Editor of FrontLine Safety & Security magazine. He is a Certified Emergency Manager with the International Association of Emergency Managers. His extensive 30+ years of experience includes leading teams on large-scale incidents and events; commanding responses to multiple airplane crashes, multi-casualty incidents, EMS support for fire/Hazmat/CBRNE and civil unrest incidents, and large scale civic celebrations (including the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics). He recently joined Nova Scotia Health’s Emergency Preparedness team where he is Manager of Project and Planning.
Inspector Monique Rollin retired as a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in January 2019 with over 31 years’ experience in policing. She has been trained by the US Coast Guard in tactical response, mass casualty disaster response and incident command to international levels. Monique has now taken on private consulting including a position as Vice President and Director of Training for Canadian Critical Incident Inc. and develops curriculum and delivers training to Incident Commanders, Crisis Negotiators, 911 Communicators, Front-line Supervisors and Special Constables on crisis/hostage negotiations, major incident command and crisis de-escalation.
Jay Rosenblatt, a Partner in the law firm Simpson Wigle LLP, located in Hamilton, Ontario, is engaged in a Business and Technology law practice. He counsels companies from early stage start up to maturity through each phase of their growth, and assists them in enhancing enterprise value. Due diligence and disaster management are key elements to his Risk Management guidance. Jay has provided such input to vulnerable mid-sized companies as well as very large corporations. Jay is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Centre for Emergency Planning.
Steve Rowland has been involved with the Emergency Medical Services in Ontario since 1974. He is a provincially certified instructor in Basic Emergency Management and Incident Management systems. He was a visiting staff member at the Canadian Emergency Management College in Ottawa. In 2010, he became a Certified Municipal Manager III. Steve Rowland retired after 37 years as a Superintendent from Durham Region EMS and worked part-time with the City of Kawartha Lakes EMS.
Martin Rudner passed away in December 2019. He was a Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at Carleton University prior to his retirement in 2007. He was the founding Director of the Cdn Centre of Intelligence and Security Studies at Carleton and authored hundreds of books and articles dealing with Southeast Asia, international affairs, and security and intelligence studies. He consulted and lectured on security and counter-terrorism issues to various departments and agencies of the Government of Canada and other international authorities.
